The 32k Question S4, M3, ect? - Page 2

e46 m3 · 04-28-08, 07:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuskan3

Go drive an E46 M3 and your decision will be easily made...

it drives VERY well, and it's sexy.

plus there's an abundant aftermarket for it.

aside from the blatan bias by my username, i think they look sexier too:

G35stilez · 04-28-08, 10:01

E46 M3. I looked at both and if it were for *me* with my goals for a vehicle nearing a close parallel to yours, an M3 is almost an "obvious* choice.

Regarding snow, if you can track your car, you can drive it. With snows and 18s, it wouldn't be that hard.

Find a CPO'd example in the colours and tranny you want and pull the trigger.

kaval · 04-28-08, 03:07

Given your requirements, I would go with the S4. It's a very comfortable car, extremely pracitical and would be a blast to drive in the winter with the Quattro system. Also, it would be cheaper on insurance given the sedan setup as opposed to the 2 door of the M3. M3's just aren't as practical.

As for the track, the M3 would be a lot more fun IMO, but it's hard to compare the two since one is RWD and one is 4WD.

I'd say to go drive them both, beat the hell out of them and then decide.

whitejavaS500 · 04-29-08, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

I'll say used CTS-V. S4 is borring in comparison to the E46 M3 and especially CTS-V. Plus the CTS-V is easily modified for power and great on track. But then you have to decide if you really need awd for winter though.

Ehh, my neighbor has one, and quite honestley, I can say IMHO its a POS. Just feels like its "loose" and unconnected.

Surfer · 04-29-08, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitejavaS500

Ehh, my neighbor has one, and quite honestley, I can say IMHO its a POS. Just feels like its "loose" and unconnected.

I actually thought it drove better then e39 M5. I almost bought e39 M5 including my buddies Dinan S2 that was awesome but the V really impressed me and so easy to mod.

BuffMe · 05-01-08, 08:00

M3 looks great, but the interior is.... bleh. The perfect choice for me would be an M3 exterior/engine with an S4 interior.

orionredwing · 05-07-08, 09:45

E46 M3 is a great car, but also consider the E90 (Sedan) / E92 (Coupe) 335i. I see some great deals on craigslist, but $32K is still the exception, not the norm for 335is atm. E46 M3 will handle better, but the 335i is the rave (easy tune at not much $$). You can read up on the 1000 comparisons between the 2, but the 335i is definitely a strong recommendation.

Accumulator · 05-07-08, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by orionredwing

E46 M3 is a great car, but also consider the E90 (Sedan) / E92 (Coupe) 335i..

Do those come with limited-slip diffs? I'm not Bimmer expert, but IIRC a lot of them have stability/traction systems instead of a real LSD.

orionredwing · 05-07-08, 12:29

You're correct. The 335i only comes with an electronic differential (traction/stability control) which applies braking power (not torque xfer) upon slip. So on the track, the E46 M3 w/ LSD and M suspension out handles the 335i imo. However, if you're mod friendly, the E90/E92 chassis is stiffer (gradual improvement of each generation), and the potential of the twin turbo is huge. E.g. Depending on the tune, $1500 (as low as ~$500) will yield an easy ~60HP ~80LB-FT of improvement (we're talking 0-60 in ~4.3s). Add some coilovers, and you'll be trying to chase (not beat) the current generation M3, instead of following behind last generation's.

Lastly the OP wants a 4 seater, and the high torque (in the low RPM range) of a twin turbo makes it a great daily driver. You won't have to rev it up to screaming proportions on the street like you do in an M car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Do those come with limited-slip diffs? I'm not Bimmer expert, but IIRC a lot of them have stability/traction systems instead of a real LSD.

Picus · 05-07-08, 02:07

An LSD for an e92 coupe is $1600 for internals, ~$2200 for the full pumpkin. I have the internals (BMW started welding the diff after March 07 production). My tune was $900, got me 68hp and 81lb/ft of torque. Cat back only netted 11hp and 12lb/ft of torque. Not sure on downpipes, no dyno since then.

Way2SSlow · 05-07-08, 02:24

I've driven both..I dont have a ton of wheel time in it, but if it were ME......living in GA with no snow....M3. If I'm having to deal with snow...S4.

Accumulator · 05-08-08, 08:33

Picus & orionredwing- OK, sounds like the aftermarket has the diff issue covered. Just seems odd to me that BMW doesn't offer them on some models

And yeah, certain turbo setups work great, though I'm usually sorta a naturally-aspirated guy myself.